Heat exchanger inlet header and flow distribution device

Abstract

In a heat exchanger inlet header and a flow distribution device, the heat exchanger inlet header supplies a fluid to a heat exchanger and comprises an inlet header chamber and a porous inclined plate. The inlet header chamber has one open side through which a fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger, and has inlet ports allowing the fluid to flow therein in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger. The porous inclined plate is a porous plate having through-holes, is disposed inside the inlet header chamber, and is disposed to be inclined upward in the direction in which the fluid flowing in from the inlet port flows.

Description

Heat exchanger inlet header and flow distribution device

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger inlet header and a flow distribution device, and more specifically, to a heat exchanger inlet header that distributes and supplies a heat exchange fluid to a heat exchanger such as a fin-tube type heat exchanger or a plate type heat exchanger, and a flow distribution device that is used in a device other than a heat exchanger to distribute and supply a fluid introduced through an inlet port.

[0002] Heat exchangers are essential in various industries such as cooling, heating, and process control, and efficient heat transfer has a significant impact on system performance and energy savings.

[0003] An inlet header is formed at the front end of the heat exchanger to supply the heat exchange fluid. If the fluid flow distribution from the inlet header to the heat exchanger is uneven, the utilization of the heat transfer surface area of ​​the heat exchanger decreases, thereby reducing the performance and efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0004] Therefore, it is important to design an inlet header that can minimize differential pressure and equalize flow distribution within a compact structure.

[0005] Figures 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating a conventional heat exchanger inlet header.

[0006] As illustrated, when an inlet port (11) is formed at the upper center of the inlet header chamber (10), a problem arises in which the flow is concentrated at the center where the inlet port (11) is located.

[0007] To solve this, in FIG. 1, a plate (20) with a slit (22) formed at the bottom of the inlet header chamber (10) is formed to disperse the flow concentrated in the center to the surroundings. However, in this case, the plate (20) with the slit (22) acts as a resistor, causing a problem where a large differential pressure occurs.

[0008] In addition, in FIG. 2, a baffle (30) formed of a porous plate is formed in the middle of the inlet header chamber (20) to disperse the flow concentrated in the center to the surroundings. At this time, the size of the through hole (32) is relatively small in the center where the flow is concentrated, and the size of the through hole (32) increases as it moves toward the periphery. In the case of FIG. 2, compared to FIG. 1, there is an effect of improving differential pressure, but since the size of the through hole (32) is standardized, a problem arises in which the distribution performance varies significantly depending on the flow velocity or flow rate of the fluid flowing into the inlet header chamber (20) through the inlet port (11).

[0009] Related prior art is Korean published patent No. 2009-0011986.

[0010] Accordingly, the technical problem of the present invention is conceived from this point, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger inlet header capable of minimizing differential pressure and homogenizing flow distribution within a compact structure.

[0011] In addition, another objective of the present invention is to provide a flow distribution device capable of minimizing differential pressure and homogenizing flow distribution within a compact structure.

[0012] A heat exchanger inlet header according to one embodiment for realizing the above-described objective of the present invention supplies fluid to a heat exchanger and includes an inlet header chamber and a porous inclined plate. The chamber has one side open to supply fluid to the heat exchanger and has an inlet port formed therein for introducing fluid in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger. The porous inclined plate is a porous plate having through holes formed therein, is disposed inside the inlet header chamber, and is positioned with an upward inclination in the direction in which the fluid introduced from the inlet port flows.

[0013] In one embodiment, the inlet header chamber may include an upper block on which the porous inclined plate is located, and a lower block connected to the lower part of the upper block and to which the heat exchanger is connected.

[0014] In one embodiment, the porous inclined plate may extend from one side of the upper block to the other side corner of the upper block.

[0015] In one embodiment, the porous inclined plate may be extended to be inclined upward from the direction in which the fluid is supplied.

[0016] In one embodiment, the porous inclined plate may further include a reflective portion having a reflective surface formed on its rear surface to guide the fluid passing through the through hole toward the heat exchanger.

[0017] In one embodiment, the reflector may be formed on one side of the through hole in a number equal to the number of through holes.

[0018] In one embodiment, the porous inclined plate may have through holes of the same size formed at equal intervals.

[0019] In one embodiment, the protrusion height of the reflective surface may not be constant.

[0020] In one embodiment, the protrusion height of the reflective surface on the side where the inlet port is formed may be low.

[0021] In one embodiment, the reflective surface may be orthogonal to the rear surface of the porous inclined plate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the angle between the porous inclined plate and the reflective surface may be different from each other.

[0023] In one embodiment, as the reflection surface moves away from the inlet port, the angle between the porous inclined plate and the reflection surface may change in the direction in which fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger.

[0024] In one embodiment, the reflective surface may be formed as a curved surface.

[0025] In one embodiment, the reflective surface may be formed in an arc shape with an end facing the heat exchanger.

[0026] In one embodiment, a distribution plate may be further included that is disposed on one side of the opening of the inlet header chamber as a porous plate having a through hole formed therein.

[0027] A fluid distribution device according to one embodiment for realizing another objective of the present invention described above includes an inlet header chamber and a porous inclined plate. The inlet header chamber has one side open to form an outlet for fluid to flow out, and an inlet port is formed to introduce fluid in a direction intersecting the direction in which fluid flows out through the outlet. The porous inclined plate is a porous plate having through holes formed therein, disposed inside the inlet header chamber, and may be arranged with an upward inclination in the direction in which the fluid introduced from the inlet port flows.

[0028] In one embodiment, the porous inclined plate may further include a reflective portion having a reflective surface formed on one side of the through hole to guide the fluid passing through the through hole to flow toward the outlet.

[0029] As described above, according to the heat exchanger inlet header and flow distribution device of the present invention, differential pressure can be minimized and flow distribution can be uniformized within a compact structure.

[0030] In addition, flow distribution performance can be maximized by controlling the protrusion height, angle, and shape of the reflective surface.

[0031] Figures 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating a conventional heat exchanger inlet header.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger inlet header according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of Figure 3.

[0034] FIGS. 5 to 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating various variations of the reflective section.

[0035] <Explanation of Symbols>

[0036] 100: Inlet header 110: Inlet header chamber

[0037] 111: Inlet port 120: Porous inclined plate

[0038] 122: Through hole 130: Reflector, reflector plate

[0039] 140: Distribution plate 142: Through hole

[0040]

[0041] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms, and embodiments are to be described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each figure. Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms.

[0042] The above terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "consisting of" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0043] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger inlet header according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 to 7 are side cross-sectional views illustrating various modified examples of the reflector.

[0045] A heat exchanger inlet header (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include an inlet header chamber (110), a porous inclined plate (120), and a reflector (130). Additionally, it may further include a distribution plate (140).

[0046] The inlet header chamber (110) forms a space for receiving fluid introduced from the inlet port (111), and one side is open to form an outlet. Thus, fluid flows toward a heat exchanger (not shown) through the open side (outlet). A heat exchanger may be positioned below the vertical arrow indicated in FIG. 4. The heat exchanger may be formed in various known forms, such as a plate heat exchanger or a pint-view heat exchanger.

[0047] The inlet header chamber (110) may generally have a rectangular shape, and an inlet port (111) is formed on one side to allow fluid to flow in in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger. Referring to FIG. 4, fluid flowing into the inlet header chamber (110) in a horizontal direction through the inlet port can be supplied to the outside of the inlet header chamber (110) toward the heat exchanger located vertically below.

[0048] As described above, the inlet header chamber (110) may include an upper block and a lower block additionally formed below the upper block, wherein a porous inclined plate (120), described later, is disposed inside the upper block, and the lower block extends below the upper block while being open to the upper block. As previously explained, the lower block may be structured to be connected to a heat exchanger located below.

[0049] The size and number of inlet ports (111) are not limited to those shown.

[0050] The porous inclined plate (120) is a porous plate with a through hole (122) formed therein and is placed inside the inlet header chamber (110). That is, as previously described, it is placed inside the upper block. As illustrated, the porous inclined plate (120) is positioned with an upward slope in the direction in which the fluid flowing from the inlet port (111) flows. That is, the inlet header chamber (110) can be separated by the porous inclined plate (120) into a side where the inlet port (111) is formed (first side, upper block) and a side where the fluid flows out to the heat exchanger (second side, lower block).

[0051] As the fluid flowing from the inlet port (111) to the first side (i.e., the upper block) by the upward slope porous inclined plate (120) flows from right to left in Fig. 4, the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the first side gradually decreases. As the fluid flows from right to left, some of it passes through the through hole (122) and moves to the second side. Since the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the first side gradually decreases in proportion to the outflow rate, the fluid can be uniformly distributed across all through holes (122) formed in the porous inclined plate (120) and flow out to the second side (i.e., the lower block).

[0052] At this time, the slope of the porous inclined plate (120) can be varied according to the shape of the upper block. In the case of FIG. 4, since the upper block is formed in a rectangular shape where the length in the horizontal direction is longer than the length in the vertical direction, the slope of the porous inclined plate (120) can also be formed somewhat gently.

[0053] Additionally, one end of the porous inclined plate (120) may be fixed to the lower surface of the upper block and the other end may be fixed to the upper corner of the upper block, but is not limited thereto; it is sufficient if the porous inclined plate (120) is positioned with a predetermined slope inside the upper block.

[0054] At this time, through holes (122) of the same size may be formed at equal intervals in the porous inclined plate (120). Of course, the through holes (122) are not necessarily limited to being formed at equal intervals. The size of the through holes (122) is preferably 1 / 3 to 1 / 4 of the diameter of the inlet port (111), but is not necessarily limited thereto. It is preferable to form the through holes (122) relatively large so that the porous inclined plate (120) does not act as a flow resistance.

[0055] A reflective section (130) is formed on one side of a through hole (122) on the rear surface of a porous inclined plate (120) to form a reflective surface that guides the fluid passing through the through hole (122) to flow toward the heat exchanger (vertically downward in the drawing). The reflective section (130) may be formed individually for each through hole (122), but as shown in the illustration, it may be formed integrally for each of the multiple through holes (122) in the thermal direction. Additionally, the reflective section (130) may be arranged uniformly overall, but if the through holes (122) are arranged unevenly, it may be arranged unevenly in the same pattern, taking into account the uneven arrangement of the through holes (122).

[0056] Furthermore, the reflective portion (130) may be extended on the rear surface of the porous inclined plate (120) in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the porous inclined plate (120), and the extended length of the reflective portion (130) may be designed to vary. However, since the porous inclined plate (120) extends with a predetermined slope within the upper block, the reflective portion (130) formed adjacent to one end of the porous inclined plate (120) may interfere with the lower surface of the upper block. Therefore, it is necessary to design the length or position of the reflective portion (130) so that such interference with the lower surface of the upper block does not occur.

[0057] In the drawing, the reflector (130) is formed as a reflector plate (130) having a reflective surface, but is not necessarily limited to a plate shape. The core component of the reflector (130) is a reflective surface that guides the flow direction so that the fluid passing through the through hole (122) flows toward the heat exchanger.

[0058] At this time, since it is sufficient for the reflector (130) to guide the fluid toward the lower block, the direction in which the reflector (130) extends may also be formed in an up-and-down direction parallel to the extension direction of the lower block, rather than perpendicular to the porous inclined plate (120). Through this, the flow guidance of the fluid toward the lower block can be performed more effectively. Furthermore, various variations of such a reflector (130) will be described later.

[0059] Meanwhile, when analyzing the flow with the above-mentioned reflector (130) omitted, the fluid flowing into the inlet header chamber (110) from the inlet port (111) as described above is uniformly distributed through each through hole (122) by the porous inclined plate (120) and flows toward the second side. However, although the fluid is uniformly distributed through the multiple through holes (122) and flows toward the second side, due to the straightness of the fluid flowing in the horizontal direction through the inlet port (111), a relatively large amount of fluid flow may be concentrated on the opposite side of the inlet port (111).

[0060] In contrast, when analyzing the flow in a structure including the reflector (130) as in the present embodiment, the fluid passing through each through hole (122) of the porous inclined plate (120) can be guided to flow more effectively toward the heat exchanger by the reflective surface of the reflector (130).

[0061] Meanwhile, when a flow analysis is performed on a structure in which the size (diameter) of the inlet port (111) is reduced and the number is increased to three, the flow velocity of the fluid flowing into the inlet header chamber (110) through the inlet port (111) increases as the size of the inlet port (111) is reduced. That is, as the flow velocity of the incoming fluid increases, the horizontal flow velocity of the fluid passing through the through hole (122) of the porous inclined plate (120) increases, and the flow distribution may become relatively uneven.

[0062] Accordingly, the flow distribution can be optimized by controlling the position, size, and number of inlet ports (111) positioned on the side of the inlet header chamber (110).

[0063] Meanwhile, the results of a fluid analysis performed in the case of having a conventional inlet header (100) structure described with reference to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 and the case of having an inlet header (100) structure according to the present invention are described as follows.

[0064] That is, in the case of the conventional technology, when fluid is introduced through the inlet port (111) in a direction horizontal to the plate heat exchanger, the flow rate is concentrated and supplied to the inlet port (111) formed in the center, so the flow rate distribution becomes very uneven. In contrast, in the present embodiment, when fluid is introduced through the inlet port (111) on the side of the inlet header chamber (110) and the porous inclined plate (120) and the reflective part (130) are formed, the flow rate distribution can be significantly improved and become uniform.

[0065] As previously explained, the reflective surface formed by the reflective part (130) can be arranged in a shape orthogonal to the rear surface of the porous inclined plate (120) or in a shape extending parallel to the extension direction of the lower block.

[0066] At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the protrusion height of the reflective surface formed by the reflector (130) may not be constant. For example, the protrusion height of the reflective surface (reflector (130)) on the side where the inlet port (111) is formed may be formed relatively low. When examining the actual flow analysis results, it can be confirmed that the flow distribution on the side where the inlet port (111) is formed is locally non-uniform compared to other parts. This is because the flow is locally non-uniform on the side where the inlet port (111) is formed, as the distance between the porous inclined plate (120) and the outlet side facing the heat exchanger is short. Accordingly, as illustrated, the protrusion height of the reflective surface on the side where the inlet port (111) is formed is formed relatively low to minimize this flow non-uniformity problem and further improve the flow distribution.

[0067] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the angle between the porous inclined plate (120) and the reflective surface may vary depending on the location of the through hole (122). For example, as the distance from the inlet port (111) increases, the angle between the porous inclined plate (120) and the reflective surface may change so that the reflective surface is inclined toward the direction in which fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger. In the drawing, the porous inclined plate (120) and the reflective surface are orthogonal on the side where the inlet port (111) is formed, but as the distance from the inlet port (111) increases, the reflective surface gradually becomes inclined toward the direction in which fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger. In this way, by varying the angle between the porous inclined plate (120) and the reflective surface, the flow can be more effectively induced, particularly toward the lower block, thereby further improving the flow distribution.

[0068] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the reflective surface formed by the reflective section (130) may be formed as a curved surface. Preferably, as illustrated, the end of the reflective surface may be formed in an arc shape toward the heat exchanger. Since the reflective surface is formed in an arc shape, when the fluid passing through the through hole (122) of the porous inclined plate (120) comes into contact with the reflective surface and changes its flow direction, the flow shock is reduced, and the flow direction can be naturally changed toward the heat exchanger along the curved arc surface. Furthermore, although the shape of the curved surface is exemplified as being identical in FIG. 7, the direction of extension or the curvature of the curved surface may be formed differently to more effectively induce flow toward the lower block, as in FIG. 6.

[0069] Again, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a distribution plate (140) formed of a porous plate having a through hole (142) formed therein may be additionally formed on one side of the open inlet header (100). The fluid flowing toward the heat exchanger through the porous inclined plate (120) may pass through the distribution plate (140) once again to further improve the flow distribution. It is also preferable that the through hole (142) formed in the distribution plate (140) be formed to be relatively large so that the distribution plate (140) does not act as a flow resistance.

[0070] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the heat exchanger inlet header (100) described above has been explained as being used in a heat exchanger, but it can also be used in other devices other than a heat exchanger to uniformly distribute and discharge fluid introduced through the inlet port (110) across the entire surface. Furthermore, when the heat exchanger inlet header (100) is used in a heat exchanger, it is named an inlet header because it is mounted at the inlet of the heat exchanger, but it can be used for fluid distribution. In this case, the heat exchanger inlet header (100) can substantially be used as a specific component as a fluid distribution device and can be used in a device for guiding the flow of various fluids in addition to a heat exchanger.

[0071] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical concept or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

1. In an inlet header supplying fluid to a heat exchanger, An inlet header chamber having one side open to supply fluid to the heat exchanger and an inlet port formed to introduce fluid in a direction intersecting the direction to which fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger; and A heat exchanger inlet header comprising a porous plate having through holes formed therein, disposed inside the inlet header chamber, and a porous inclined plate disposed upwardly inclined in the direction in which fluid flowing from the inlet port flows.

2. In paragraph 1, the inlet header chamber is, The upper block where the above porous inclined plate is located; and A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by including a lower block connected to the lower part of the upper block and to which the heat exchanger is connected.

3. In paragraph 2, the porous inclined plate is, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by extending from one side of the upper block to the other side corner of the upper block.

4. In paragraph 1, the porous inclined plate is, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by extending upwardly inclined from the direction in which the above fluid is supplied.

5. In Paragraph 1, A heat exchanger inlet header further comprising a reflective portion having a reflective surface formed on the rear surface of the porous inclined plate to guide the fluid passing through the through hole to flow toward the heat exchanger.

6. In paragraph 5, the above-mentioned reflective part is, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by having a number of holes formed on one side of the above-mentioned through holes equal to the number of through holes.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above porous inclined plate is a heat exchanger inlet header characterized by having through holes of the same size formed at equal intervals.

8. In Paragraph 1, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by the fact that the protrusion height of the above-mentioned reflective surface is not uniform.

9. In Paragraph 8, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by having a low protrusion height of the reflective surface on the side where the inlet port is formed.

10. In Paragraph 1, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized in that the above-mentioned reflective surface is orthogonal to the rear surface of the above-mentioned porous inclined plate.

11. In Paragraph 1, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by the angle between the above porous inclined plate and the above reflective surface being different.

12. In Paragraph 11, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized in that as the distance from the inlet port increases, the angle between the porous inclined plate and the reflective surface changes in the direction in which fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger.

13. In Paragraph 1, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized in that the above-mentioned reflective surface is formed as a curved surface.

14. In Paragraph 13, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized in that the above-mentioned reflective surface is formed in an arc shape with an end facing the heat exchanger.

15. In Paragraph 1, A heat exchanger inlet header characterized by further including a distribution plate disposed on one side of the open side of the inlet header chamber, which is a porous plate having through holes formed therein.

16. An inlet header chamber having one side open to form an outlet for fluid discharge, and an inlet port formed to introduce fluid in a direction intersecting the direction of fluid discharge through the outlet; and A flow distribution device comprising a porous plate having through holes formed therein, disposed inside the inlet header chamber, and a porous inclined plate positioned upwardly inclined in the direction in which fluid flowing from the inlet port flows.

17. In Paragraph 16, A flow distribution device further comprising a reflective portion having a reflective surface formed on one side of the through hole on the rear surface of the porous inclined plate, which guides the fluid passing through the through hole to flow toward the outlet.

Images